Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010		Oct. 31, 2009
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 7,968		$ 9,605		$ 4,225
Additional liability recorded	6,627		9,256		7,536
Adjustment to previous estimates	(846)		(742)		3,670
Cash payments	(10,296)		(10,151)		(5,826)
Balance at end of period	3,453		7,968		9,605
Current restructuring liabilities	664		2,784
Non-current restructuring liabilities	2,789
Workforce reduction [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	1,576		170		982
Additional liability recorded	6,627	[1]	9,256	[2]	4,117	[3]
Adjustment to previous estimates	0		0		0
Cash payments	(8,043)		(7,850)		(4,929)
Balance at end of period	160		1,576		170
Current restructuring liabilities	160
Non-current restructuring liabilities	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction	150				200
Consolidation of excess facilities [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	6,392		9,435		3,243
Additional liability recorded	0		0		3,419	[3]
Adjustment to previous estimates	(846)	[1]	(742)	[2]	3,670	[3]
Cash payments	(2,253)		(2,301)		(897)
Balance at end of period	3,293		6,392		9,435
Current restructuring liabilities	504
Non-current restructuring liabilities	2,789
Outside of EMEA Region [Member] | Workforce reduction [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Additional liability recorded			2,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction			70
EMEA Region [Member] | Workforce reduction [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Additional liability recorded			$ 7,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction			82

[1] During fiscal 2011, Ciena recorded a charge of $6.6 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of approximately 150 employees related to a number of restructuring activities intended to reduce operating expense and better align its workforce with market opportunities. Ciena also recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million related to its previously restructured Acton, MA facility.

[2] During fiscal 2010, Ciena recorded a charge of $2.1 million related to a workforce reduction of approximately 70 employees, principally affecting Ciena’s global product group and global field organization outside of the EMEA region and $7.1 million related to a workforce reduction of 82 employees associated with the restructuring activities in the EMEA region described above and an adjustment of $0.7 million associated with previously restructured facilities.

[3] During fiscal 2009, Ciena recorded a charge of $4.1 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of 200 employees, $3.4 million related to the Acton, MA facility closure and $3.7 million related to previously restructured facilities.